UM Karate-Do team chopped to triumph at Kadayawan Festival Karate Championship

The University of Mindanao Karate-Do Team bagged an impressive haul of 17 medals at the recently concluded 39th Kadayawan Festival Karate Championship, held on August 31, 2024, at the Lyceum of the Philippines—Davao. The team secured 7 golds, 8 silvers, and 5 bronzes under Coach Laarni Cortes, dominating both the Kata and Kumite events.

In the Women’s Kata, Venus Dominguez dominated the Novice category, taking home the gold, while Jewell Francis Ramos and Micaela Crezha Cayas fought hard to earn bronze in the Intermediate Advanced and Advanced categories, respectively. On the men’s side, Marc Angel Dominic Gabriel powered his way to gold in the Intermediate category, with Stephen Pillado achieving silver in the Advanced category.

The Women’s Kumite events were a showcase of the team's strength, with Ramos, Dominguez, Hannah Jane Ejara, and Margarette Andres all striking gold in their respective weight classes. Ramos, in particular, stood out with double honors, adding a gold in the -61kg division to her earlier bronze in Kata. Other standout performances came from Abegail Mamontayao, Marian Enot, and Cayas, who added silver and bronze to the team's medal count.

The men’s team delivered a strong performance in the Kumite events. Stephen Pillado led the charge, clinching gold in the -55kg division to add to his silver from Kata. Conan Hisona, John Andro Barriga, and Gabriel each secured silver in their respective weight classes, while Stephen Booc, Brent Sabete, and Cydrill C. Villacorte contributed bronze medals, rounding out the team's impressive showing.

The impressive haul of medals at the 39th Kadayawan Festival Karate Championship reflects the hard work, discipline, and dedication of the University of Mindanao Karate-Do Team. With the guidance of Coach Cortes, the team continues to be a force to be reckoned with.